Good morning! My apologies for being a bit late. I had connection issues and could not get hold of Miss Rebecca. Things seem to have righted themselves for the time being.
So, the rumor is that here in New England we are expecting about 23 inches of snow in the next two days or so. Mind you, it likely won't be that much, but there's a part of me that hopes it will be. There is something wonderfully relaxing about that much snow. You simply cannot go out, and no one is going to argue with you about that. It's an opportunity to let one's mind be enveloped by the deep, thick, silence that comes with that much snow, and to make a little magic in the kitchen with a huge pot of soup or some baked goods.
I find myself already thinking about what dark things might come out in such weather, and what sort of horrors they would bring with them.
This weeks stories were as always, amazing. I must say again how thrilled I am to have new writers among us. And with that, let me get on with it.
Our winner is is Kerry Liz with Ivory Silence: I don't think there's anyone who doesn't know the feeling of wanting screaming children to be quiet. Vanessa's resentment at her situation only heightens that feeling for her, and her solution is terrible and desperate. Thank you!
In second place this week is Patricia Purvis with THE THROWBACK: Lovely use of the prompts and great dialogue here. The last line made me chuckle. Thank you!
And so, the Tome has brought forth new words.
Blister
Harp
Parent
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 30. Winners and words on Saturday January 31st. As the 31st is New Years Eve and some folks may have celebrations to plan, or attend, if anyone would like me to extend the deadline by a day or two, let me know in comments and we can do that.
All right, m'dears. The Gates are Open!
Sunday, 25 January 2015
Sunday, 18 January 2015
Exploring the Darkness
Good morning, all! My apologies for being a few hours late. However, I'm quite grateful that my connection issue only lasted a short while. I think it's getting better!
The long dark of winter has begun in earnest here in New England. Most days are overcast and dull, and a bitter cold has settled in. Trees creak in the evening wind, as do my bones upon rising each morning. It's the time of year when my thoughts always turn to my own mortality. I don't fear these images, slithering and scratching quietly through my mind. I embrace and explore them. Time passes for all things and the cycles of life continue, after all.
My writing often takes a much darker turn during this time, as well.. So dark, that in the past, there have been stories I have been hesitant to commit to paper, as it were, fearing them perhaps too frightening to be read.
That being said, before I get to winners and words. I have a question for all of you. Have you ever written something you thought too "dark" to publish or show to anyone? Answering, obviously, is voluntary, but I'd be interested to know.
And now on to the reason we call come here each week:
Our winner this week is Michael B. Fletcher with The Trap: Michael, the sheer scope of this, conveyed in so few words, amazed me. Thank you!
Also in the winner's circles is Sandra Davies with A Change of Focus (113): Sandra, this has to be my favorite installment so far! I have always loved the relationship between Vanessa and Pettinger, and to me this piece expresses it beautifully. You have a wonderful talent for both dialogue and action! Thank you!
The Tome has obligingly brought forth new words for us to play with.
Result
Ivory
Silence
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 23d. Winners and words on Saturday January 24th.
The Gates are Open!
The long dark of winter has begun in earnest here in New England. Most days are overcast and dull, and a bitter cold has settled in. Trees creak in the evening wind, as do my bones upon rising each morning. It's the time of year when my thoughts always turn to my own mortality. I don't fear these images, slithering and scratching quietly through my mind. I embrace and explore them. Time passes for all things and the cycles of life continue, after all.
My writing often takes a much darker turn during this time, as well.. So dark, that in the past, there have been stories I have been hesitant to commit to paper, as it were, fearing them perhaps too frightening to be read.
That being said, before I get to winners and words. I have a question for all of you. Have you ever written something you thought too "dark" to publish or show to anyone? Answering, obviously, is voluntary, but I'd be interested to know.
And now on to the reason we call come here each week:
Our winner this week is Michael B. Fletcher with The Trap: Michael, the sheer scope of this, conveyed in so few words, amazed me. Thank you!
Also in the winner's circles is Sandra Davies with A Change of Focus (113): Sandra, this has to be my favorite installment so far! I have always loved the relationship between Vanessa and Pettinger, and to me this piece expresses it beautifully. You have a wonderful talent for both dialogue and action! Thank you!
The Tome has obligingly brought forth new words for us to play with.
Result
Ivory
Silence
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 23d. Winners and words on Saturday January 24th.
The Gates are Open!
Saturday, 10 January 2015
The Early Bird Gets The....never mind.
Good morning, m'dears!
The sun may be shining here in New England, but my mind is overflowing with the dark and lovely images you all created last week! I'm thrilled to see new writers joining us. Everyone who writes here has such a distinctive style and each new author adds something new and different to an already wonderful and supportive group!
The Tome and I have considered long and long, and we have finally come to agreement.
Our winner this week is Chris Allinotte with Birth: I love the slow yet horrifying build here. It inspires a sense of quiet terror as it moves along. And that last line? Perfect...visceral...horrible! Thank you!
A second winner this week is Patricia Purvis with Worth Its Weight: One of the hallmarks of a really good read, for me, is the writer's ability to pull the reader in completely. I love the visuals your words created for me! I truly cannot stop reading this piece. I fervently hope that you'll continue to gift us with your stories! Thank you!
And now, I have given the Tome its favorite treat of a bit of bacon, and it has reciprocated with new words for us to play with!
Torrent
Ashes
Whistle
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 16th. Winners and words on Saturday January 17th.
The Gates are Open!
The sun may be shining here in New England, but my mind is overflowing with the dark and lovely images you all created last week! I'm thrilled to see new writers joining us. Everyone who writes here has such a distinctive style and each new author adds something new and different to an already wonderful and supportive group!
The Tome and I have considered long and long, and we have finally come to agreement.
Our winner this week is Chris Allinotte with Birth: I love the slow yet horrifying build here. It inspires a sense of quiet terror as it moves along. And that last line? Perfect...visceral...horrible! Thank you!
A second winner this week is Patricia Purvis with Worth Its Weight: One of the hallmarks of a really good read, for me, is the writer's ability to pull the reader in completely. I love the visuals your words created for me! I truly cannot stop reading this piece. I fervently hope that you'll continue to gift us with your stories! Thank you!
And now, I have given the Tome its favorite treat of a bit of bacon, and it has reciprocated with new words for us to play with!
Torrent
Ashes
Whistle
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 16th. Winners and words on Saturday January 17th.
The Gates are Open!
Sunday, 4 January 2015
2015!
Please forgive the title. I couldn't think of anything really creative and since this is my first post since the New Year, I went for the obvious. ;)
Understandably, the holidays left us with few submissions besides my own. Even so, as always I had a very difficult time choosing. However, choose I did.
My choice this week is Antonia Woodville with Infinity 81: One thing I'm always impressed with, when the Captain speaks, is the ease with which you convey his mood with so few words. Each new submission is a frightening delight. Thank you.
The tome has enjoyed its little break and is ready with new words to get us started for a new year of Prediction. Let's see what it has for us.
Rank
Spark
Legend
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 9th. Winners and words on Saturday January 10th.
Happy New Year! The Gates are Open!
Understandably, the holidays left us with few submissions besides my own. Even so, as always I had a very difficult time choosing. However, choose I did.
My choice this week is Antonia Woodville with Infinity 81: One thing I'm always impressed with, when the Captain speaks, is the ease with which you convey his mood with so few words. Each new submission is a frightening delight. Thank you.
The tome has enjoyed its little break and is ready with new words to get us started for a new year of Prediction. Let's see what it has for us.
Rank
Spark
Legend
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 9th. Winners and words on Saturday January 10th.
Happy New Year! The Gates are Open!
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